HRTM Students Immerse Themselves in Taiwan

Ever dreamed of eating squid jerky, visiting a Buddhist temple, or seeing the highlights of Taiwan, all while getting class credit? This summer, a group of students from the University of South Carolina (USC) had the opportunity to visit Taiwan as a part of the Elite American Youth Leader Camp. The program selected 26 students from across the country to participate in the six week program. USC was fortunate enough to have ten students selected, many of whom are enrolled in the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management. Other schools in the program included Harvard University, Boston College, Indiana University, California State University at San Bernardino, and the University of Hawaii at Hilo.

Professor Pete Cardon, College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management, coordinated the group and travel arrangements. The students spent six weeks in Wufeng, Taiwan at Asia University, one of Taiwan’s top private universities. The eight-credit course program, “Taiwan Study,” included courses in Mandarin language, Taiwan’s Medium and Small Enterprises, Taiwan’s High-Tech Industry, and Taiwan’s Societies and Cultures.

“I read up on Chinese culture,” said Sasha Noorani, an International Business major, “However, I soon learned that reading about cultural differences is quite different from experiencing them.”

The group was able to explore Taiwan, tour different businesses, high tech parks, Taoist and Buddhist temples, farms, and many monuments and attractions.  The students were also able to get a taste of Taiwan’s culture through food and interacting with the Taiwanese people. They also learned that a major part of the Taiwanese culture revolves around hospitality and catering to the visitors every need.

 “One thing I feel certain that has to be pointed out is how the Chinese culture stresses excellent treatment of visitors,” said Matt Nagy, a Tourism major. “This is something that has extended beyond the realm of what would be considered normal hospitality in the United States.”
The students learned that if you were hungry the main places to eat in Taiwan were in a restaurant or at a street vendor.  Some of the items on the menu included dumplings, kabobs, chicken hearts, or squid jerky.

“While I enjoyed trying different types of food during my study in Taiwan, I missed many foods that I would commonly eat in America,” said Christopher Hunt, a Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management major.

 “Overall, this trip was one of the best opportunities a student from the University of South Carolina could ever ask for,” said Shela Ly. “This trip has opened my eyes to the culture of a different country and helped me see that there is more in the world besides the United States.”